What better way to celebrate autumn than by snuggling into your cosiest blanket (or oversized sweater) and munching on some warm rice pudding with homemade apple sauce? Oh, and lighting a fall-scented candle of course (or several). And sipping on a cup of hot chocolate. And having a crackling chimney fire in the background. Yeah, i think we got everything covered.

As a child rice
pudding was pretty much my favourite dish (along with pancakes and
semolina porridge perhaps). And since i always get to hear how "vegans
can't eat anything but salad and carrots" i needed to prove that vegan
rice pudding is at least as good as non-vegan rice pudding. Boyfriend-approved.

Apple sauceabout 6 or more medium apples (hand-picked if possible)1/8 cup of water - or apple juice!favourite sweetener such as agave syrup or stevia, to your liking (optional) a pinch of cinnamona squeeze of lemon juice (optional)

Bring the water (or milk) to a boil and add the rice. As soon as it boils, switch to medium heat and let it simmer. Keep the lid
closed, and keep checking on the rice, stirring frequently. Let it simmer on medium-low heat for about 25 to 30 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice should be ready, the consistency creamy, sticky and thick.

In the meantime, prepare the apple sauce:Peel,
core and roughly slice the apples. In a saucepan combine apples,
water/juice to barely cover the pot, cinnamon and sweetener (depends on
how sweet your apples are, and how sweet you like it. i'm personally a
fan of slightly sour apple sauce, so i don't add any). Heat up and,
stirring occasionally, cook over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes until
the apples are soft and tender. Remove the pot from heat and mash the
cooked apples with a big fork, a potato masher or - that's how i do it -
with an immersion blender.

Fill the rice into your favourite bowl, maybe add a dash of almond milk for more creaminess, and top off with a good spoonful of apple sauce and maybe another dash of cinnamon. Enjoy!

Thanks again for the kind feature, Jerri! Check out the other delicious apple recipes over on Simply Sweet Home :)